Chapter 27 Kady #3
I reach for the nearest book on the table. Unfortunately for me, it’s one of Riven’s coding books that’s filled with equations that may as well be another language. I thought I could read practically anything, but this seems to be the one thing that I can’t understand.
Instead of leaving, Ezra sits opposite me in an armchair. I don’t look up, but I can feel his eyes boring into me as I hear the others joking around in the kitchen. The tense atmosphere has me sweating.
After a few moments, Ezra sighs loudly. I ignore him. It’s obvious that he doesn’t want me here.
“Kady?”
I look at him over the edge of my book. “I’m reading.”
“About R coding?” The corners of his mouth quirk up. “I didn’t think that was your kind of thing.”
“Well, I’m learning,” I bark, pulling the book up to cover my face.
“I’m sorry.” To my surprise, he sounds sincere. “About just now. I didn’t mean to be rude.”
“It’s fine. I get it.” I peer over the top of the book again, seeing him rest his elbows on his knees before resting his head in hands. “You don’t want me here. I get that. I’ll stay out of your way, and you can act like I’m not even here.” I put the book back up. “I won’t bother you again.”
“It’s not that I don’t want you here.” He blows out a long exhale. “It’s just—”
“You don’t believe in scent matches, and you don’t want an omega,” I huff, plopping the book on my lap and sitting up.
“You don’t have to keep saying it, Ezra.
You’ve made your wishes perfectly clear.
And for the record, you don’t have to worry because I’m not planning on bonding with your packmates. ”
“You know they’re really serious about you, don’t you?
” He pinches the bridge of his nose, like he’s suddenly got a headache.
“This isn’t a joke or an experiment to them.
They truly believe you’re their scent match.
You’re the first girl we’ve ever brought into our home.
Do you know how big a deal that is? I don’t want you to hurt them. ”
I let what he said sink in. “Is this your way of asking me to leave? If you are, I’ll call a car and be gone in ten minutes.”
“I didn’t mean—”
“Well, what do you mean? What do you want from me, Ezra?” I don’t bother trying to hide my frustration. “You don’t want me here, you do want me here.” I throw up my hands. “I’m not a mind reader. If you have something to say, just come out and say it.”
“I don’t know, Kady.” He presses the heels of his palms to his eyes. “I don’t know what to say. You’re just everywhere. Your scent. It makes it hard to think!”
I applied extra scent blockers, so I thought I smelled pretty neutral, but I must be due for a top-up.
“Let me make it easier for you.” I stand up, prepared to leave the room. “I’ll go.”
“No, wait.” In seconds, he’s on his feet, grabbing my wrist to stop me.
“Look, I’m sorry I’m not making sense. I’m an SVU professor.
I shouldn’t even be around you, but your scent.
” He looks at me like he wants to devour me.
I swallow hard, all I can focus on is how his two fingers are resting on my pulse point.
“God, it makes it hard to stay away from you.”
My heartbeat quickens. “Then don’t.”
He drops his hold. “I’m not like the rest of my pack. They can give an omega what they need, but me?” He looks out the window. “Feelings, commitment… That’s not me. I don’t do serious.”
“And you think I don’t know how that feels?
The thought of spending the weekend with your pack was terrifying.
” It’s easier to be honest when he’s not making eye contact.
“I never wanted a scent match, a pack, nor a bond. But I just had to see whether,” I take a deep breath, “there was any truth in Hale’s theory.
Usually, I don’t take risks, but it feels like my whole world has turned upside down since we met. ”
He steps closer, gently cupping my cheek, his callused fingers delicately stroking my skin.
“I guess we’ve both got a lot to learn still.” I hear what sounds like a tinge of sadness in his whisper.
He’s a walking contradiction. A hot, passionate frenzy one minute, then icy cold and standoffish the next. I’m considering nuzzling into his warm palm when the moment is shattered by the other alphas joining us. Ezra jerks his arm away, leaving me even more confused than before.
“So, Kady, we were all talking about how we want to get to know you better over the weekend,” Hale says. “How would you feel about going on a date? With each of us?”
“Dates?” My throat seizes up. “Like we’re courting?”
“Not courting. Just dates. No strings attached.” Hale replies. “We thought it’d be nice for you to have quality one-on-one time with each of us. Ezra, would you like—”
“It’s okay.” Ezra shrugs dismissively, making my heart sink. “I won’t take up any more of your time, Kady.”
Hale frowns but doesn’t pressure him before returning his attention to me. Behind him, Riven bobs on the balls of his feet while Calder buries his hands in his pocket, trying his best to look aloof, but I note how he’s watching my reaction closely out of the corner of his eye.
I think back to my conversation with Sabs and Delilah. The main reason I’m here is to get to know them, right? “Okay. Why not?”
“Great.” A grin splits Hale’s face. “Because we’re kinda short on time, Riven was hoping to take you out tonight, then you can spend the day with me tomorrow, and the evening with Calder. And Ezra, if you change your mind.”
“I don’t date students,” Ezra remarks flatly.
I try to ignore the sting of rejection at his blunt tone.
“Kady is not just a regular student,” Hale disagrees.
“Ezra’s made his position clear,” I tell Hale. He’s obviously struggling with this whole scent match thing as much as I am. I’m not going to beg him to spend time with me when he doesn’t want to. “Where are we going tonight, Riven?”
“It’s a surprise.” Riven rubs his hands together. “We can get going soon?”
“What should I wear?”
“Something warm.” He smiles. Unlike Ezra, at least Riven is consistent in his emotions and always appears happy to be around me. “I have a coat you can borrow, if you need one.”
“I’m sure Kady has plenty of clothes, judging by the size of her suitcase,” Calder mutters.
I ignore him, focusing on the excited look on Riven’s face, which almost makes me forget about Ezra’s rejection. “How about I get ready and meet you downstairs in ten?”
So what if Ezra doesn’t want to spend any time with me? I’m determined to not let that ruin my other dates. Getting to know them is the whole reason I’m here, right?